Brooklyn’s Canarsie community rallied Monday night outside the proposed site on East 108th Street, voicing strong concerns that a 200‑bed men’s homeless shelter slated to open in 2028 would sit directly across from Science and Medicine Middle School 366 on East 107th Street.
Local leaders join the protest
City Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, who represents the 46th District, led the crowd and sharply criticized the Department of Social Services (DSS) for moving forward without meaningful neighborhood input. “You want to put it next to a school — a middle school for God’s sake! These are our children! Shame!” Narcisse said, echoing the frustration of many parents.
Narcisse explained that DSS notified her of the shelter plan only last week and did not seek her or the community’s feedback, despite her role as the district’s elected representative. She has asked for a meeting with the DSS commissioner on Thursday and is now pressing Mayor Zohran Mamdani to attend the discussion in person.
Citywide shelter expansion plan
The Canarsie project is part of a broader citywide initiative to open 12 new shelters, including three additional sites in Brooklyn, according to News 12 Brooklyn. DSS officials emphasized that notifying elected officials and community boards is a standard part of the public process for siting new shelters and that community engagement will continue.
“Notification is the beginning of a process that includes opportunity for community engagement,” DSS told Fox News Digital. The department has not yet released a detailed timeline for the upcoming public meetings.
Background and recent controversy
This protest follows a series of demonstrations across New York City over similar shelter proposals. In July, the New York Post reported that the city moved 110 single homeless men into a former family shelter in Brooklyn without conducting criminal background checks, fueling additional community concerns about safety and oversight.
Parents and teachers worry that the proximity of a large men’s shelter could affect student safety, school traffic patterns, and the overall learning environment. Many residents also question whether sufficient resources will be allocated to address potential security issues.
Next steps
City Councilmember Narcisse has scheduled a meeting with the DSS commissioner for Thursday and is urging Mayor Mamdani to join the conversation. The department has pledged to hold additional community forums, though specific dates have not yet been announced.
Local officials and advocacy groups continue to monitor the situation, urging the city to consider alternative locations that would not place vulnerable children in close proximity to a high‑density shelter.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Science and Medicine Middle School 366, Councilmember Narcisse’s office, and Mayor Mamdani’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
